Notes: Before I said I was confused whether it was Great-Grandfather Chen or Grandfather Chen. It’s definitely Grandfather Chen. Somewhere later in this chapter he’s referred to as Xiao Yurong’s father. I’ve gone back and changed all previous references in the story. I also put the t.i.tle taigong in the front of his name instead of after.
[Translator: otwentyfirst // Editor: Poledancer1985]
[Host: justreads.net]
[September 1st, 2018]
The course of events had already changed from her previous life. Xiao Wan knitted her brows not sure what to say. Seeing that the crowd was looking at Xie Chuchen’s thighs with lascivious eyes, she moved to block their view.[notes] It was an unconscious move motivated by her desire to protect him.
The crowd’s interpretation of it was quite different though. “Look! She’s embarra.s.sed by him so she’s trying to hide him!”
Xie Chuchen on the other hand thought she was trying to block him from entering the Xiao House. You promised! This made him feel wronged and he stared at her back with a hurt look in his eyes.
“Wan-er,[notes] what’s going on?”
Upon hearing the stern tone of the question Xiao Wan’s entire body stiffened involuntarily. She turned around to find a middle aged woman and an elderly gray haired man slowly approaching.
The woman’s lips tightened in a frown as she looked at the scene. She saw Xiao Wan standing directly in front of Xie Chuchen as though s.h.i.+elding him from the crowd. This middle aged woman was of course none other than Xiao Yurong, Xiao Wan’s mother.
The gray haired elderly man was her grandfather, the previous head of house, the ever swift and decisive[notes] loutaigong Chen. He had headed the house for decades before Xiao Yurong took over.
The two had been waiting for Xiao Wan and Ji Shumo in the reception hall for the baitang, but when neither showed up they became impatient. While waiting they overheard talk of a Young Master dressed in festive clothing creating a disturbance at the side door. Xiao Wan was delayed because she was handling the matter. At this point they decided to go and see for themselves.
Xiao Yurong swept Xiao Wan with a stare so severe it was bordering on fierce. It was obvious she thought the ruckus was a result of Xiao Wan’s philandering.[notes]
When it came to things related to work Xiao Yurong was an efficient taskmaster, always quick and decisive, however she was the complete opposite when it came to handling Xiao Wan. She treasured her daughter so much she only ever used kid gloves on her. This resulted in Xiao Wan being a good for nothing idle loafer whose favorite activity was, ironically, to clash with her mother.
Xiao Yurong’s main husband had become very ill and pa.s.sed away a year after giving birth to Xiao Wan. Perhaps because of this Xiao Yurong tended to spoil and pamper Xiao Wan. It was especially easy to do because the girl was an incredibly obedient and adorable child. Unfortunately as Xiao Wan got older her temperament completely changed and she became a young woman who enjoyed rebelling against her elders.
Xiao Yurong had worried whether daughter would ever get married. In the end Xiao Wan completely surprised her by not only getting married, but getting married to the most sought after scholar in the nation! Xiao Yurong’s trepidations were finally eased and her face glowed with happiness. Things had been going well until today. What is this setback on the big wedding day?! Xiao Wan had better have a good explanation for this.
Xiao Wan felt like her heart was about to leap out of her chest at the sound of her mother’s voice. She was at a total loss, not knowing what to do or say. Before she knew it tears flowed down her cheeks. Were it not for the crowd of onlookers she would have jumped into her mother’s arms and cried her heart out right then and there.
“Mother…” She was choking so hard on her emotions that it took her several breaths before she could expel that one word. Her actions were like a loud declaration of her guilty conscience.
Xiao Yurong was about to angrily demand an explanation when she saw Xiao Wan’s timid and pathetic looking face. Combined with the high pitched sad sound of “Mother” and her anger completely fizzled out. She glanced at Xie Chuchen and thought, how should I handle this demand for marriage by this Young Master?
She was about to ask him to leave when Grandfather Chen spoke up. “This Young Master, why not come this way and change out of those clothes OK”?
It was then that Xie Chuchen realized the state of his clothes. Embarra.s.sed he could only look timidly at Xiao Wan. His heartbeat immediately sped up in nervousness upon seeing her knitted brows.
“Grandfather!”
A pair of dark eyes turned to look sharply at Xiao Wan before falling hesitantly on Xie Chuchen. Grandfather Chen bent over and picked up a smooth jade pendant that had fallen to the ground. After gently caressing it for a second he spoke in a soft voice. “Wan-er do you really want this Young Master to return home in such a state of dress? He also has burns on his ankle. I’m afraid it would be inconvenient…”
It was clear Grandfather Chen wanted Xie Chuchen to stay at the Xiao House to recuperate after seeing the jade pendant. It seemed he was willing to recognize Xie Chuchen as Xiao Wan’s official husband. Xiao Wan did not want this!
How could Xie Chuchen not know what Xiao Wan wanted? With a twinkle in his eyes he immediately pretended to be seriously injured and walked forward with a distinct limp. He couldn’t help the smug smile on his face as he followed them back inside. There was no way he was going to let such a golden opportunity slip through his hands.[notes]
The distraction brought by Xie Chuchen didn’t last long. Soon enough everyone’s attention returned to the original newlyweds and the baitang[notes] proceeded as planned. After finis.h.i.+ng the baitang someone helped Ji Shumo up and led him to the bridal chamber. Meanwhile Xiao Wan downed all the toasts offered to her and responded to their good-natured heckling.[notes] The crowd followed her as she impatiently made her way to the bridal chamber.
Once there Xiao Wan pushed open the door to find Ji Shumo nervously shoving a white envelope into his sleeve. Xiao Wan pretended not to see, and instead turned and closed the door behind her, effectively shutting out the crowd. In the meantime Ji Shumo had fixed his facial expression and put on a suitably calm face. Despite this his hands still clenched tightly when he saw Xiao Wan’s heated gaze. He couldn’t help but lower his head guiltily.
“Shumo…” Xiao Wan whispered her eyes filled with a thousand inexpressible emotions. “I’m incredibly happy today.” Incredibly happy that Heaven gave me a chance to redeem myself… to atone for the mistakes I made. “That I can marry you is the blessing of three lifetimes.”[notes] To think that you would have my entire family executed in exchange for all the warmth and tenderness I gave you. Hahaha… How ridiculous.
Xiao Wan went to sit next to her new husband. Ji Shumo involuntarily stiffened when he smelled the faint sweet fragrance of wine on Xiao Wan’s body.
Xiao Wan’s breath blew hotly on Ji Shumo’s skin as she softly whispered, “Shumo, you look beautiful today.” Edging closer to her husband she stretched her finger to lightly graze Shumo’s face before trailing downwards over the rest of his body. The desire in her eyes seemed to suggest something was about to happen. Oh you are indeed a beautiful poisonous snake Ji Shumo!
Ji Shumo’s heart skipped a beat at the look in Xiao Wan’s eyes and the close proximity of her body. He immediately got up off the bed and picked up the cup on the table. “We still haven’t exchanged wine yet!” [notes]
“Of course.” Xiao Wan took the cup Ji Shumo offered, but instead of drinking from it she held onto it while leaning across the table towards her husband. Ji Shumo watched nervously as Xiao Wan moved closer.
Xiao Wan looked down and picked up the second cup that was on the table. She now had one cup in each hand. After looking at them for a second she handed the one Ji Shumo gave her back to him. “Let us drink then.”
And so it was that after exchanging only one cup of wedding wine Ji Shumo collapsed unconscious onto the floor.
So that’s why I always slept like a dead log every night. It was because of you and your tricks. Xiao Wan couldn’t help but laugh as she looked at Ji Shumo sprawled on the ground, a victim of his own drug. In her previous life she had pampered and spoiled him outrageously, always taking into consideration how he felt and never touching him or forcing him if he expressed any kind of discomfort. It was clear to her now that he simply disdained physical intimacy with her.
Xiao Wan dragged Ji Shumo’s body off the floor and tossed him onto the bed. She felt a strong desire to wash her hands after handling him but settled with just wiping her hands on her clothes. Count yourself lucky Shumo. If it weren’t for the fact that you still have some value I wouldn’t bother touching your disgusting body!
Xie Chuchen knew it was Xiao Wan and Ji Shumo’s wedding night. But Xiao Wan had promised him that as long as he completed the ceremony by crossing through the gate, then she would recognize him as her official husband. Therefore technically it was also his wedding night with her.
Earlier he had taken care to bath in scented water and made sure he was presentable. His heart was a whirlwind of chaotic emotions - nervousness, antic.i.p.ation, trepidation, giddiness but the overriding ones were joy and happiness. However he began to grow lonely as the night drew on and there was no sign of Xiao Wan in sight. Finally unable to bear it any longer he snuck out to Xiao Wan’s courtyard. If she’s not coming then I’ll just go and watch her from afar. She won’t mind… if she doesn’t know. And so he consoled himself with the thought that he would just satisfy his longing by gazing at her.
That night after the noise and clamor of the day’s events quieted down and only the sounds of the nighttime critters could be heard Xiao Wan thought about the day and all that had transpired.
She had gone through the baitang with Ji Shumo in a distracted daze. Her mind had been on Xie Chuchen. She had been worried about Xie Chuchen’s condition and concerned about how Grandfather Chen was treating him, if he was giving Xie Chuchen a hard time or not. It wasn’t until she managed to grab Yun Yan and pressed her for details that the stone in her heart finally dissipated.
In hushed voices they had discussed what happened. She learned that Grandfather Chen had arranged a courtyard for Xie Chuchen and had even requested a doctor come and visit in order to check on his injured ankle.
Although the contents of the conversation were good, Xiao Wan couldn’t help but notice Yun Yan’s oddly cold and drawn expression. Xiao Wan’s thoughts had jumped all over the place. Was it possible... was it possible that Yun Yan and Xie Chuchen... at first sight…?
The things Xiao Wan had gone through made her more cautious and sensitive to everything around her. She wondered how hard Yun Yan would laugh if she found out she would one day attack Xiao Wan with a shoe out of rage one day.[notes]
Thinking back to the conversation she had with Yun Yan only made her sigh. She pushed open the doors and stepped outside. As she did so she saw a flash of white move across her field of vision.
Xie Chuchen had been hiding in a small corner when he heard the sound of the door opening. He stepped out of his hiding spot thinking that Xiao Wan had opened the door to return to her room, never considering it was possible she was leaving instead. He did not expect to come face to face with his beloved the moment he stepped out. In a fl.u.s.ter, he moved back only to step on the hem of his robe. With his foot injured he couldn’t right himself quickly enough despite his flailing. He ended up falling forward right into Xiao Wan. The image he presented was that of a lecherous wolf trying to grab onto her.
It was the first time he was so close to her. Knowing he was actually touching her made his heart beat a mile a minute and his legs turned to jelly. What… what to do?!
Since Xie Chuchen was practically in her arms it was easy for Xiao Wan to see his face. He really is beautiful. Such thick long lashes. Haha! Look at how they tremble! Something rippled in her heart, like a stone tossed into a still pond. A flicker flashed in her eyes, partly desire partly something else too fleeting for her grasp.
“Wife…Xiao... I… ah… I didn’t mean to…” Xiao Wan’s scrutiny was making Xie Chuchen feel really awkward and more than a tad bit embarra.s.sed. Two adorable bright red splotches appeared on his cheeks. In fact his whole body was practically burning up from embarra.s.sment. He hurriedly tried to stand back on his own two feet. Although he wanted to cherish being held by Xiao Wan for a little longer he didn’t dare push his luck. He straightened up and hid his hands behind his back.
He was so annoyed at himself for being clumsy and awkward. Great. Now she’s going to think I have no manners. A lecher! A groper! A frivolous man who’d throw himself at anybody. He was so fl.u.s.tered. He wasn’t sure how to address her. Wife? Dear? Miss Xiao? He shook his head. No. No. Miss Xiao was too distant and unfamiliar. Honestly he just wanted to call her dear wife[notes] but he was sure she wouldn’t allow it.
“Your injury… is it OK?” Xiao Wan asked with obvious concern in her voice.
“Ah.. yes. The doctor gave me some ointments to apply. As long as I apply it everyday it should heal fine.” Xie Chuchen spoke slowly and carefully after glancing at her and seeing that she wasn’t angry. He took a quiet breath in an effort to calm himself down.
“You. In the future don’t do such a foolish thing again. It’s not worth it.”
Not worth it? That such a small injury elicited Xiao Wan’s concern was already beyond Xie Chuchen’s expectations. He was so happy to get her attention he was practically giddy with excitement. It was quite an improvement considering just a few days ago she was staring knives and daggers at him,[notes] her face full of anger.
Xiao Wan grabbed a bottle of liquor [notes] and poured herself a cup after settling down on the stone steps in front of the doorway. She immediately proceeded to toss it back. Xie Chuchen decided to risk it and sat down next to her. He was concerned so he said, “Drinking will hurt your body. Don’t drink so much.”
“Well luckily you’re here. Share some with me yeah?” Xiao Wan had originally intended to drink the night away in solitude, hoping that perhaps the liquor would help her think of a way out of the mess she made. Xie Chuchen showing up was unexpected and the invitation had popped out of her mouth on its own. Might as well indulge and share some wedding wine with him.
An inexplicable sweet happiness bubbled up inside Xie Chuchen when he realized Xiao Wan wasn’t going to chase him away or ask why he was sneaking around. The two lightly b.u.mped wine cups before hooking arms together to formally drink their wedding wine. Xie Chuchen glanced up at Xiao Wan as he took small sips from his cup, all the while his heart raced madly.
He was nervous but also secretly delighted. The fire pan crossed. The wine drunk. The only things left are the baitang and the bridal room. Xie Chuchen was ignorant about the affairs between men and woman and only had a vague idea of what the bridal room entailed. All he really knew was that it involved the bride and groom being in the same bed.
As a result this beautiful little m.u.f.fin ball gazed at Xiao Wan with bright eyes scheming of how to get her in bed so he could complete the bridal chamber part of the ceremony. Get her drunk. Carry her to bed. Then sit down beside her and the bridal chamber part of it should be complete. Then I’ll definitely be her official husband! Good plan!
Unfortunately Xie Chuchen completely overestimated his tolerance for alcohol. He had never drunk much, only a cup here and there, so his current attempt to out drink Xiao Wan failed miserably. With such a strong wine his throat already burned with just a cup. His face broke down in disappointment. He didn’t give up and instead bolstered his self-confidence with some internal words to himself. The plan was to get Xiao Wan drunk. Already started. It’s too late to back down now.[notes] With that thought in mind he put on a brave face and moved to pour another cup for Xiao Wan.
So it was that while Xiao Wan was thinking of how to prevent the tragedy from her previous life from happening, Xie Chuchen was getting completely smashed. In his inebriated state he let loose what was on his mind without a care in the world, shouting at the top of his lungs.
“Xiao Wan! I really like you!” His eyes grew misty with emotion, glistening in the moonlight and giving him an ethereal appearance.
Xiao Wan who had been immersed in thoughts of the past was completely dumbstruck by Xie Chuchen’s sudden declaration.